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Just under a three-hour flight from Vancouver, the sunny city of Phoenix offers tons of excitement and adventure for the entire family
When you’re ready for a quick warm weather family getaway, look no further than America’s sunniest metropolis. The greater Phoenix area offers an array of museums, water parks, nature reserves and wildlife parks—all of which are just a short, direct flight away. You’ll also discover exceptional family-friendly resorts and foodie-approved restaurants that promise to please every member of your boisterous brood.
Click through to check out the top family hot spots in the greater Phoenix area…
Slather on the sunscreen and head to the coolest park in Arizona. You’ll discover slides for every age and thrill level at Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix water park. The surf, swells and gently rolling waves at Monsoon Bay are a hit with families during the day, and on summer nights, it’s the place to be for Dive In Movies. Or, take a not-so-relaxing float down the Crazy Cactus Roaring River and keep a watch out for tipping buckets.
Your littlest family members will have a splash in the Soak ‘Em Playground, Wet ‘n’ Wild Jr and Boogie Board Beach. When you feel the need for speed, the twists and turns of Constrictor and gravity-defying side-by-side racing tracks of Maximum Velocity are ready and waiting.
Explore the largest collection of exotic animals in all of Arizona at Wildlife World. Home to more than 600 creatures, you’ll want to spend the entire day here. Wander through the park’s four-building aquarium and marvel at hundreds of fish, amphibians and reptiles.
Learn about sea lions at a live show in Shipwreck Cove. Feed stingrays, parrots and giraffes, or spend some time with the cute little critters in the petting zoo. You’ll also find rides suitable for every age group, including a whimsical carousel, African safari train, family roller coaster and soaring eagle zipline.
Experience the magic and mystery of the ocean at the Arizona Sea Life Aquarium. Attend a shark or stingray feeding. Listen to aquarists talk about the aquarium’s many residents, including tropical fish, jellyfish, green sea turtles, shellfish and sharks.
Learn about Sea Life’s conservation efforts and the importance of protecting our oceans. Get your hands wet in the interactive rockpool, stocked with shelled creatures and sea stars. Then, hang out and have some fun in the play zone.
Discover dining nirvana at the intimate yet formidable Rusconi’s American Kitchen. Expect handcrafted cocktails, inventive seasonally inspired cuisine and exceptional service. Highlights include grilled squash and goat cheese bread pudding, roasted sea scallops with vanilla-scented cauliflower purée and grilled loin of lamb served alongside goat cheese dumplings.
While you’re savouring Chef Rusconi’s farm-to-fork fare, the kiddos will delight in a sophisticated pint-sized kid’s menu that features everything from braised short ribs and beef tenderloin to macaroni and cheese and chicken fingers with fries.
Located in the heart of Scottsdale, the Westin Kierland is all about family fun. Plan on spending the majority of your time at the Adventure Water Park, riding the 900-foot lazy river and 110-foot waterslide. Or catch a wave in the heart of the desert on the Kierland FlowRider®—a board-sport simulator.
Parents will find plenty to do out of the water, including golf, spa treatments and cocktail classes, while the little ones are playing at Camp Kierland (ages four through 12). At sunset, enjoy cocktails or dinner overlooking the golf course, and listen to the magical sounds of Scottish bagpipers. Be sure to check out the resort’s activity schedule for the full lineup of family programming.
The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler is a sprawling desert oasis that might just be one of the best kept secrets in greater Phoenix. Your children will go wild for the resort’s multiple pools, River Adventure boat and kayak rentals, Koli Equestrian Center, Rawhide western town and Sheraton Adventure Club (weekends only for ages four through 12).
You’ll love the two championship golf courses, award-winning adults-only destination spa, Native American cultural programming and Kai, Arizona’s only AAA Five Diamond/Forbes Five Star restaurant.